Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun chatted and laughed all the way. The servants watching them thought: The Princess Consort and the Prince have such a good relationship.
Back at Kangping Courtyard, Xiao Yun sat on the couch and said, "I have the day off today. Where do you want to go play? We haven't been to the pleasure quarters in a while. How about we go there and see if there are any new shows..." He looked quite eager.
Wang Qingyao thought for a moment, "How about we go tomb sweeping?"
Xiao Yun: "...I've only heard of burning incense and praying to Buddha on the first and fifteenth of the month. I've never seen anyone sweep tombs on those days."
Wang Qingyao glared at him, "Didn't we say we'd go when we had time last time? Today is perfect."
"The Xiao family's ancestral graves are in Dabie Mountain. This season, there are particularly many mosquitoes, rats, and insects on the mountain."
"It's fine. I'll bring some insect repellent sachets. It's a small problem."
"It's also quite far, and we have to climb the mountain. I'm afraid you'll get tired."
"It's fine. I don't not exercise normally."
Xiao Yun was about to find another excuse when Wang Qingyao leaned in front of him and poked his chest, "What's wrong with you? Why do I feel like you don't want to go? I'm going tomb sweeping for your sake! And you, not only are you not helping, but you're holding me back."
Xiao Yun reached out and pinched her face, sighing softly, "I'm afraid you won't be able to sense anything. In fact, for so many years, I firmly believed I would die before I turned twenty-five. Even when the Imperial Astrologer of Fengfu predicted that you could break the Xiao family's curse, I didn't take it to heart. But when we were at the bottom of the Wei family's well, you told me, 'My fate is determined by me, not by heaven.' You said you would find a way to break the Xiao family's curse, and only then did I begin to have a sliver of doubt about the curse."
Wang Qingyao gazed at him gently, signaling him to continue.
"But some time has passed, and perhaps it's because I'm more emotional late at night. Now I don't really believe you can break the curse anymore. Rather than having greater hope and greater disappointment, it's better to maintain the status quo."
Wang Qingyao understood. Xiao Yun just wanted to be a turtle in a shell, deceiving himself.
She suppressed the urge to hit him, "What is the status quo? It's you dying before you turn twenty-five. No matter what I do, can there be a worse outcome than this? Xiao Yun, I didn't realize you were such a coward! You don't even dare to try!"
"Who's a coward?" Xiao Yun's spirit was roused. He stood up with a "whoosh," "Can't I hesitate a little?"
"Alright, alright. You hesitate here. Anyway, I'm going tomb sweeping. If you don't accompany me, I'll go by myself."
She called out towards the door, "Shanhu, have the carriage prepared. I'm going to Dabie Mountain to pay respects to the ancestors of the Xiao family."
The room was filled with tension. The maids outside all heard it.
Shanhu looked hesitant, glancing at Wang Qingyao and then at Xiao Yun's expression. She coughed and replied in a low voice, "Yes."
Wang Qingyao then instructed Yin Zhu, "Prepare some insect repellent packets and writing materials for me. I'm taking them to Dabie Mountain."
Yin Zhu carefully observed their expressions, "Yes." She wondered inwardly: Why would they need writing materials for a tomb visit on the mountain? Was she going to write a eulogy on the spot?
Wang Qingyao then instructed Zhizi, "Help me prepare some offerings."
Zhizi was calmer, her expression unchanged, "Yes."
Wang Qingyao walked to the table and angrily drank two large cups of tea.
Really, wasn't she running around just so Xiao Yun could live a few more years? And he, not only didn't he understand her efforts, but he was also dragging her down.
After drinking two cups of tea, her anger subsided quite a bit.
She comforted herself: It's okay, it's okay. He's the boss. Bosses are willful. I just need to do my job well.
After this self-talk, she was no longer angry and even smiled at Xiao Yun.
"I'll be leaving for Dabie Mountain shortly. You wanted to go to the pleasure quarters, didn't you? You can take Yuanbao. You two have fun and enjoy yourselves."
Her tone was also very gentle, not sarcastic at all.
But Xiao Yun got goosebumps and looked at Wang Qingyao as if she were crazy.
"Are you alright?"
Wang Qingyao smiled charmingly at him, "Of course, I'm fine."
Xiao Yun shivered.
"I'm not going to the pleasure quarters anymore. I'll go to Dabie Mountain with you."
Wang Qingyao remained very gentle, "It's fine, no need to force yourself."
"I'm not forcing myself. I thought about it, and you're right. At least I should try. The outcome won't be any worse than it is now."
Wang Qingyao smiled. This time, it was a genuine smile.
"You're teachable." She reached out and ruffled his hair.
Xiao Yun grabbed her wrist and, with a strong pull, drew her into his embrace, sitting her on his lap.
Wang Qingyao blushed. She wasn't used to such intimacy with Xiao Yun in broad daylight.
She glanced at the maids outside the door. These servants also felt the change in the atmosphere and were happy for the couple. At this moment, they all pretended to look at the sky.
Wang Qingyao felt even more embarrassed. She gently pushed Xiao Yun, saying shyly, "What are you doing? Let me go quickly. It's not good if others see."
Xiao Yun held her waist tightly and said in a low voice, "Yaoyao, I want to grow old with you."
Wang Qingyao was stunned. Although she treated Xiao Yun as her boss, after so much time together, their relationship was no longer just that of colleagues. Moreover, even if he were just a colleague, she wouldn't want to see him die young.